Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, stated that Texas voters cannot trust Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico regarding transgender issues and other policy positions. Pfluger’s comments follow the release of undercover footage by The Daily Wire, which captured Talarico affirming that his views on transgender rights have not changed, despite recent campaign messaging emphasizing moderation.
The exchange occurred during an appearance on The Scott Jennings Show, where host Scott Jennings asked if Texans could rely on Talarico to uphold conservative values on social issues. Pfluger, who represents a conservative district in West-Central Texas, responded emphatically in the negative, citing Talarico’s legislative history in the Texas House as evidence of a persistent liberal agenda.
What the Right Is Saying
Rep. August Pfluger stated, "Absolutely not," when asked if Texans could trust Talarico on trans issues or other matters. Pfluger argued that Talarico has been "fixated" on these issues throughout his career. "We know how he has voted in the Texas legislature, and the only thing that he said that was true there is my views haven’t changed," Pfluger said.
Pfluger extended his criticism to Talarico’s stance on energy policy, asserting that the nominee’s views have not changed on "wanting to kill the oil and gas industry, which, by the way, is the most important industry in the state of Texas." He also criticized Talarico’s positions on social issues generally, urging Republican voters to participate in early voting to prevent what he described as a shift toward open borders and policies contrary to Texas values.
What the Left Is Saying
In the undercover recording obtained by The Daily Wire, James Talarico stated that his position on transgender issues has not changed. When asked by an individual posing as a supporter whether she could count on him to defend her transgender niece’s ability to compete in women’s sports, Talarico replied, "Always." He further explained that he would continue to fight for transgender youth in the U.S. Senate just as he had in the Texas Legislature.
Talarico argued that sports participation policies should be determined "locally" and evaluated "sport by sport, athlete by athlete." He characterized his approach as "the most inclusive policy of any candidate who’s running," suggesting that his stance aligns with broader progressive efforts to ensure equitable participation for transgender athletes while maintaining local control over specific regulations.
What the Numbers Show
The controversy centers on Talarico’s voting record in the Texas House Public Education Committee in 2021. Talarico voted against Senate Bill 29, legislation that sought to require public-school athletes to compete according to the sex listed on their birth certificates. The bill passed the committee with a vote of 8-5, with Talarico among the five members voting against it.
Early voting in Texas began on October 19 and is scheduled to run through October 30, according to the Texas Secretary of State. The timing of the Daily Wire report and Pfluger’s comments coincides with President Donald Trump holding dual rallies in the state on Tuesday, amid reports of concerns within the Republican party regarding sluggish GOP turnout.
The Bottom Line
The dispute highlights the intense scrutiny of candidate records in the Texas Senate race between James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton. With early voting underway, both parties are leveraging specific legislative actions and recent media reports to influence voter perception. The outcome of the race may depend on how effectively each campaign frames the candidate’s past votes and current statements to the electorate before Election Day.